Last update Oct. 1, 2023

C40H56

Compatible

Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Lycopene is a natural red carotenoid pigment that is responsible for the red and pink colors seen in tomatoes, pink oranges and grapefruit, rose hips and other red vegetables and fruits.  It has antioxidant properties. Lycopene extract from tomato is used as a colorant in food products.

At the time of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Lycopene is found in breast milk (Zielinska 2021) and is associated with positive neurodevelopmental outcomes (Lockyer 2021). Tomato consumption increases the concentration of lycopene in breast milk. (Zielinska 2021, Haftel 2015, Alien 2002)

Given its lack of toxicity and very likely beneficial effects, its consumption in food form is compatible with breastfeeding. The maximum safe daily intake is not known; some agencies estimate it at 15 mg (AESAN 0212). The consumption of lycopene supplements should not be abused.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

C40H56 is Lycopene in Molecular formula.

Is written in other languages:

Group

C40H56 belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing C40H56 in its composition:

List of 7 tradenames
  • Ateronon™
  • GEA Seniors™. Contains other elements than C40H56 in its composition
  • Licoxid™. Contains other elements than C40H56 in its composition
  • Lycoprost™
  • Tomat™. Contains other elements than C40H56 in its composition
  • Udamin™. Contains other elements than C40H56 in its composition
  • Vitene Antiage™. Contains other elements than C40H56 in its composition

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Molecular weight 537 daltons

References

  1. Lockyer F, McCann S, Moore SE. Breast Milk Micronutrients and Infant Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2021 Oct 28;13(11). pii: 3848. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  2. Zielinska MA, Hamulka J, Wesolowska A. Carotenoid Content in Breastmilk in the 3rd and 6th Month of Lactation and Its Associations with Maternal Dietary Intake and Anthropometric Characteristics. Nutrients. 2019 Jan 18;11(1). pii: E193. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  3. Haftel L, Berkovich Z, Reifen R. Elevated milk β-carotene and lycopene after carrot and tomato paste supplementation. Nutrition. 2015 Mar;31(3):443-5. Abstract
  4. AESAN. Informe del Comité Científico de la Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (AESAN) sobre condiciones de uso de determinadas sustancias distintas de vitaminas, minerales y plantas para ser empleadas en complementos alimenticios - 1. Revista del comité científico nº 17. 2012 Full text (in our servers)
  5. Alien CM, Smith AM, Clinton SK, Schwartz SJ. Tomato consumption increases lycopene isomer concentrations in breast milk and plasma of lactating women. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002 Sep;102(9):1257-62. Abstract

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e-lactancia is a resource recommended by Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - 2015 of United States of America

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